30 Under 30 – Europe – Art & Culture (2024)
Armin Vahabian
Founder, Fat Phill’s
After getting a taste of an American burger on a visit to the United States, Armin Vahabian set out to bring that flavor across the ocean to his country, the Netherlands. An Iranian immigrant and father of three, he founded Fat Phill’s in Amsterdam in 2019 without any initial investors. Since opening its first location, the American-inspired restaurant chain now operates 16 different locations in the country. Fat Phill’s brought in more than $16 million in revenue in 2023, nearly doubling its 2022 revenues. The business is projected to make $31 million in sales in 2024 thanks to several plans for international expansion. In January, Fat Phill’s announced a franchise deal to open 100 new sites across the United Kingdom over the next 10 years, an agreement signed with Freshly Baked Limited (which is the franchisee of iconic pretzel chain Auntie Anne’s). Vahabian currently employs more than 450 people, is planning on opening his first U.K. location in London in 2024, and has an additional contract in the works to develop five more stores in Germany.